Find out how popular the last name Shipka is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Shipka.

Shipka, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Shipka surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Shipka in America

Shipka is the 134929th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shipka surname appeared 115 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Shipka.

The history of the last name Shipka

The surname Shipka is primarily associated with the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe, particularly Bulgaria. It is believed to have originated during the medieval period, with its roots deeply connected to the area's historical and geographical context. The name Shipka is derived from the Bulgarian word "шипка" (shipka), which translates to "rose hip" in English, referring to the fruit of the wild rose plant native to the region.

Shipka is also the name of a village and mountain pass in Bulgaria, sites with considerable historical significance. The most notable historical reference to the name Shipka is the Shipka Pass, which was a crucial strategic location during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). The Battle of Shipka Pass played a key role in the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, cementing the name's prominence in Bulgarian history.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Shipka appear in medieval Bulgarian manuscripts and church records, though specific documents have yet to be digitized or widely studied. The name may have been used to denote individuals living near or associated with the Shipka Pass or the village of Shipka.

One of the earliest prominent individuals with the surname Shipka was Ivan Shipka, a Bulgarian merchant and community leader in the 17th century. Ivan Shipka was known for his contributions to local trade and his involvement in the construction of the Shipka Monastery. Ivan lived from approximately 1620 to 1685.

In the 19th century, another notable figure was Dimitar Shipka, a Bulgarian revolutionary who participated in the fight against Ottoman rule. Dimitar Shipka (1838-1895) was recognized for his bravery and dedication during the battles around the Shipka Pass, solidifying his legacy in Bulgarian national history.

Moving into the 20th century, Maria Shipka, born in 1903 and passed away in 1975, made a name for herself as one of the early female educators in Bulgaria. She was instrumental in promoting women's education and literacy in rural areas, following in the spirit of the Shipka legacy of contributing to national progress.

Another significant individual was Aleksandar Shipka, an architect born in 1942 who played a key role in the design and restoration of important historical buildings in Bulgaria. His work contributed to preserving Bulgarian cultural heritage, with projects completed across the country that still stand today.

In more recent history, Svetlana Shipka, born in 1965, has been a prominent figure in Bulgarian literature. As an acclaimed author and poet, her works often draw on themes related to Bulgarian history and culture, incorporating the rich legacy of her surname.

The surname Shipka has a robust historical connection to Bulgaria, with its origins tied to both nature and significant historical events. The name Shipka has been carried by various notable individuals who have contributed to Bulgarian society and culture across different centuries, enriching the understanding and appreciation of this unique surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shipka

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Shipka.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Shipka was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Shipka was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shipka, please contact us.

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